Osage Beach Elementary hosts meeting on school bond issue

Osage Beach Elementary opened its doors to the community during Camdenton R-III district's second bond informational meeting. Staff, students and board members welcomed parents and community members on Monday evening.

Osage Beach Elementary opened its doors to the community during Camdenton R-III district's second bond informational meeting. Staff, students and board members welcomed parents and community members on Monday evening. When individuals arrived they were greeted by students and were directed where to go to find information on the bond issue.

The district held a meeting at Hurricane Deck Elementary last week and has two more community meetings scheduled.

The purpose

Since the ballot language for the bond issue is somewhat misleading, Camdenton R-III officials are doing their best to inform voters on the truth of the issue. The bond issue, if passed, will allow the district to renovate Hurricane Deck Elementary and build a brand new Osage Beach Elementary all without a total tax increase. Instead of a total increase, the funds inside the tax levy will be relocated by moving 11 cents from capital projects fund to the debt service fund.

The need

Camdenton R-III school district officials have been aware that the current outlying elementary schools are quickly running out of space. In December 2009, a Facilities Master Plan included facility needs at Osage Beach Elementary and Hurricane Deck Elementary. Two years later in 2011, the district's patron panel identified an issue of equity among school buildings in the district. The outlying buildings do not have the same resources and functions available at buildings on the main campus.

Osage Beach Elementary's population has increased throughout the years and is now using all the space available. The gymacafetorium serves as the spot for physical education classes and the cafeteria. Assemblies are also held in this space, but rarely are open to parents since the space is so small. During specific times of day, hallways are packed and are simply not passable. Some items are stored in hallways and shoved into wherever space is found since storage space is rare. Osage Beach personnel resorted to creating a classroom in a vestibule/entry way space.